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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Monroe County
The county falls within the Upper Mississippi River Bedrock Controlled Uplands and Valleys (MLRA 105) land resource region.
The growing season in Monroe County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 35.7 inches per year. January lows average around 7°F while July highs reach about 81°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,375 farms in Monroe County, operating across 263,476 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 192 acres. Top commodities include milk, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Cattle & calves, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Monroe County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
820 Industrial Dr, Sparta, WI 54656
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Farm Structure in Monroe County
About 21% of Monroe County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 17% of farms are small and 4% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 192 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Monroe County
Given the operation mix in Monroe County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Monroe County Operations
Based on Monroe County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Wetland management for cranberry production and flood mitigation receives significant program attention. Conservation practices address both agricultural productivity and Mississippi River water quality protection.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Monroe County: Jackson County, Wisconsin, Juneau County, Wisconsin, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, and Vernon County, Wisconsin. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Monroe County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Wisconsin guide: Wisconsin Farm Programs Guide
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